The debate on the Anti-Terror Bill became more prevalent after it passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for final approval.
Despite the many contradictions that led to protests to discard the bill, the government still insists on its relevance and enactment.
Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III has been actively hitting back at critics who are asking for its dismissal.
Recently, Sotto took to Twitter his praises for Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez for defending the bill.
Congresswoman Lucy Torres Gomez makes a very compelling thesis in her ig on why we should prioritize the fight vs terrorism. Beauty and brains! @iampinglacson
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) June 12, 2020
In an Instagram post, Gomez shared clarifications on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. She urged critics to read the measure first and not rely on second-hand opinions who may have twisted the interpretation of the actual sections of the bill just to suit their accusations.
To explain the importance of the bill, she cited the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church bombing in Jolo back in 2019 where the incident could have been prevented if the Human Security Act of 2007, which the Anti-Terror bill seeks to amend, facilitated the arrest of foreign nationals suspected of terrorism.
This makes the country incapable of arresting or prosecuting terrorists before an unlawful act occurs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBS98csHFAx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
She further clarified that the bill is meant for terrorists and not for activists, which has been the very root of protests against the bill.
Although she agreed that the timing of putting the bill could be better since the country is still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, consideration must be taken since terrorism can happen anytime, and the bill already went through many hearings before it reached the plenary.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBS-NQMHgHK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
As Sotto recognized supporters of the bill, he as well fires back at its critics. He even previously labeled them as ‘epal’ since they are misinformed about the details of the bill.
In addition, he assures the public should not fear anything since it has a lot of safeguards against abuse of the measure and that rights for public expression will not be violated.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBS-NQMHgHK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Daming nakiki- Epal, Mali naman ang Alam!
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) June 3, 2020
Activism daw is not terrorism. Eh sino bang gago may sabi na terrorism yun?
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) June 4, 2020
This could be used as weapons against people who can be mistaken as a terrorist or is accused of terrorism after criticizing the government.
Artists also joined in the call to junk the controversial bill.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray shared that people should not turn a blind eye and be silent on this matter for the bill is susceptible to potential abuse of power and human rights violations.
Holding the stance of #JunkTerrorBill DOES NOT EQUATE to being pro-terrorism. Making the stand of #JunkTerrorBill does NOT equate to supporting violence or terrorists. Nor does it imply that we ignore or condone the damage, hurt and conflict that exists…
— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) June 6, 2020
…in the Philippines and affects so many of our countrymen because of terrorism.
Rather, #JunkTerrorBill is a call to #ReviseTerrorBill (because it can be…and should be better) if the need is indeed urgent during this time.— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) June 6, 2020
The anti-terrorism bill is essential to protect the country and its people, but we cannot pass a bill that is susceptible to potential abuse of power and human rights violations.
— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) June 6, 2020
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach also shared the same view of having the bill revised.
Exactly this. Thank you Cat ❤ https://t.co/AKjyMIFwsW
— Pia Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) June 8, 2020
— Pia Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) June 3, 2020
Anne Curtis took a stand as she considers the bill vague which can take away a person’s basic rights and freedom.
https://t.co/7vaE77TOlf #JunkTerrorBill pic.twitter.com/uuKDv61sgb
— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) June 4, 2020
Kathryn Bernardo, Maris Racal, and Liza Soberano as well went against the bill by resharing the #JUNKTERRORBILL.
https://twitter.com/bernardokath/status/1268069215203819527?s=20
— Maris Racal (@MissMarisRacal) June 2, 2020
— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) June 2, 2020
But despite the public clamor to junk the terror bill, Congress already submitted the enrolled copy of the bill to Malacañang and now awaits the signature of the President for it to become a law.
